Los Angeles
County
Biographies
FRANK
W. RAMIREZ
A
natural pride in San Gabriel’s Mexican heritage and a desire to have a place
perpetuating early California history led Frank W. Ramirez to open Panchito’s Mexican Kitchen at 261 South Mission Drive in
1956. A masonry contractor before
entering the restaurant business, Mr. Ramirez built Panchito’s
from the ground up, starting with a dining room which seated fifty and now
seats one hundred fifty. When the city
of San Gabriel was incorporated in 1913, the city hall stood on the present
site of the restaurant. Mr. Ramirez’ bar
has been built with a city hall motif; he is collecting pictures of all the
mayors up to the present – when the collection is complete, probably by the end
of 1962, he will name it the El Alcalde Room. He is also collecting relics of early
California history as well as pictures of the early California Dons. “Exclusively a dinner house,” Panchito’s Mexican Kitchen employs close to thirty
employees; Mr. Ramirez’ son, Robert, is assistant chef.
Frank
W. Ramirez was born on August 6, 1921, in Globe, Arizona. He is the son of Frank D. and Maggie
(Williams) Ramirez. His father, now
deceased, was born in Monterey, Mexico, and was a contractor and engineer. His mother, born in Globe,
Arizona, lives in East Los Angeles.
There are four sons and five daughters in the family, all presently
living. One of Mr. Ramirez’ brothers is a horse trainer.
His brother, George, is in the patio business in the San Gabriel Valley.
Frank
Ramirez received his elementary and high school education in Miami, Arizona,
graduating in 1937. He then joined his
brother, George, in San Gabriel, working with him until 1943, at which time
Frank Ramirez entered the United States Infantry and served with General
Patton. He received six battle stars
and, wounded, spent six months in England recuperating.
Returning
to San Gabriel in 1946, Mr. Ramirez was a masonry contractor for ten
years. He built the San Gabriel Medical
Arts Building and many residences in San Marino.
A
member of the San Gabriel Mission Parish, Mr. Ramirez is a past first vice
commander of American Legion Post Number 748 in San Gabriel, of which he is a
life member. He has been on juvenile
committees to help youth, and sponsors Little League, Babe Ruth, and Junior
League baseball leagues.
In
the little El Santa Nino church in Chavez Ravine, Los Angeles, Frank Ramirez
married the former Miss Margaret Rivas on September 28, 1939. Mrs. Ramirez is active in the Mother’s Club
of San Gabriel Mission Grammar School.
Mr. and Mrs. Ramirez have five children:
Robert R., a graduate of San Gabriel High School, who is now in business
with his father; Elaine, a graduate of Mission High School, who attends beauty
college in Rosemead; Richard, who attends San Gabriel Mission School; and
Cynthia and Eileen.
In
addition to his hobby of collecting relics and antiques, Mr. Ramirez enjoys
painting and playing golf.
Transcribed by
V. Gerald Iaquinta.
Source:
Historical Volume & Reference Works Including Alhambra, Monterey Park,
Rosemead, San Gabriel & Temple City, by Robert P. Studer,
Pages 618-620, Historical Publ., Los Angeles, California. 1962.
© 2013 V. Gerald Iaquinta.
GOLDEN NUGGET'S LOS ANGELES
BIOGRAPHIES